Machine gun fire control apparatus



G. E. BEHARRLL ET AL 2,100,097

MACHTNE GUN FIRE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 23, 1937.

Nm. 23,l i937., G. E. BEHARRELL Er AL ZQWQ? MACHINE GUN FIRE CONTROL APPRATUS Filed March 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Georgie Edward Beh Wright, Coventry,

arrell, Streetly, Joseph and Henry Trevaskis, vSui;-

ton Coldfeld, England, assignors to Dunlop Rubber Company, a British Company Limited, London, England,

Application March 12, 1936, Serial No. 68,404 In Great Britain March 6, 1935 7 Claims.

This invention concerns apparatus for operating machine guns of the kind in which the working mechanismof the gun itself comprises a recoiling breech block which is initially displaced to supply the energy required to load and/or re the first shot and in which the energy required to discharge a series of rounds subsequent thereto is derived from the energy of recoil consequent upon the initial and each of the successive discharges.

In particular the invention is designed to operate machine guns of the kind in which the recoiling breech block is displaced from an initial position to an intermediate safety position from which it returns to the initial position thereby rendering the gun ready to be fired.

By incorporating the apparatus described below, each gun may be placed in the most favorable position, and so that one or more rounds may be fixed thereby without necessitating the immediate proximity of the gunner.

Such remote fire control is 'particularly advantageous in aircraft as it enables several guns to be located far apart on the Wings and/or in other positions and enables such guns to be fired without regard to the airscrew, by one person alone.

According to this invention, in rapid ring small arms of the kind having a recoiling breech block and a gun ring trigger or button, we provide pneumatic operating means comprising a compressed air supply connected to a trigger motor comprising a cylinder and piston, which piston is displaceable into contact with the said trigger or button by the operation of a valve interposed between the said motor and the said air supply.

In order that the invention may be more easily understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the general arrangement of the pneumatic operating means including the pipe circuits; Fig. 2 is a part sectional side elevation of the chief flying control, and valve mechanism operated therefrom; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the pneumatic safety cooking mechanism; Fig. 4 is a part sectional plan view of the cooking mechanism shown in tion of the spring loaded gun trigger actuating piston and cylinder.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 of a different embodiment of certain parts of the invention.

Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a part sectional side eleva- In the general arrangement shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 compressed air is carried in a container I from which the air supply is released to two pipesI 2 and 3.

The pipe 2 transmits air under pressure to l the valve casing 4 carried-by the chief flying control and when this valve is opened the air passes on through the pipe 5 to the cylinder of the trigger motor 6, the piston l of which is eX- pelled to press upon the firing trigger or button lo 8 of the gun 9.

The valve in the casing 4 is opened and shut by the movement of a firing control in the form of a lever I0 carried by the chief flying control I I.

'I'he other pipe 3 referred to above transmits 15 air under pressure to two valve mechanisms operated lindividually by push buttons I2 and I3 which may be positioned on the dashboard or fuselage I4 in front of the chief flying control II.V 20

Depression of the push button I3 admits air under pressure to the pipe I5 by which it is transmitted to the loading cylinder I6, the piston rod II of which is expelled thereby into contact with a member I8 forming part of and projecting from 25 the internal recoiling loading mechanism of the gun 9.

The other push button I2 when depressed admits air under pressure from the pipe 3 connected to the container I to a pipe I9 connected 0 to a cylinder 20, the piston 2| of which is thereby expelled to contact the toe 22 of a catch rocking upon a fork carried by the end of the piston rod Il'.

The internal loading and recoil mechanism of 35 the gun which is not shown is operated by the forward and backward movement of an internal recoiling breech having an actuating member II!` projecting from the casing 9 enclosing the gun.

Beneath thecasing 9 is a supporting frame, 4C part of which is shown in outline at 23, this casing containing and positioning the cylinders I6 and 20 operating the loading and recoiling breech block member I8 which is displaceable from the initial position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 a to an intermediate position shown in solid lines whence it is returned to the initial position thereby loading the gun in readiness to re one or a succession of rounds of ammunition.

The displaceable recoiling breech member I8 50 is displaced from its initial position adjacent the larger cylinder I6 by engagement of a toe portion 24 formed on the member with a recess 25 formed on a rocking detent 26 which is pivoted at 29 between the forked end 21 of the piston 55 rod I1 connected to the piston 28 within the cylinder I6.

At 4the end of its outward stroke the recoiling breech member I8 is carried to a position shown in full lines in which the toe of the catch 22 on the lower portion of the forward end of the detent momentarily overrides a trip catch 38 which is maintained in .the position shown by a spring 3I.

The recoiling breech block is thereby held in an intermediate safety position in which the operation of loading has not been fully completed.

In the construction shown the loading operation is completed by the release of the catch 22 from the trip 30.

An upwardly extending contact 32 forming part of the rocking detent 26 is struck backwards by the piston 2l which is driven out of the cylinder 20 by the admission of uid pressure through the pipe I8 admission of air to which is controlled by the valve operated by the press button I2, Fig. 1.

Alternatively, however, the automatic retention of the breench recoil member I8 in this intermediate safety position which is obtained as described above may be dispensed with if desired by a modification of the construction shown.

Essentially this ,modication consists in re-l placing the cylinder 20 and piston 2I with an abutment placed in a position corresponding to that occupied by the piston 2| when expelled from the cylinder. The parts 3l, 38 and 22 may also be dispensed with in this case.

In consequence the contact 32 strikes the abutment and the recoil member I8 returns immediately to the initial position under the influence of the return coil springs of the gun mechanism not shown.

In either case the recoiling breech member I8 returns to the initial position entirely unimpeded by the detent 26 and its supporting fork and piston rod I1 whether one round or a succession of rounds are fired from the gun.

The coil springs 33 which retract the piston I1 to its initial position are secured at one end to the pivot spindle 28 upon which the detent 26 rocks and at the other to abutments 84 extending across the base of the cylinder I6.

n its return under spring pressure as described above, the inclined reverse face of the projecting contact 32 strikes the faces of a pair of studs 48, Fig.v 4 whereby the contact 82 andin consequence the catch 22, are depressed downwardly to the position shown in dotted lines thereby raising the recessed portion 26 to the initial position shown in dotted lines in readiness to engage the breech recoiling and loading member I8.

The end of the detent 26 adjacent the cylinder I6 has a toe portion 35 which in rising contacts the under surface of the fork to position the detent in readiness for the next outward stroke of the piston I'I." l v The recessed shoulder 25 which engages the breech recoil member I8 is initially spaced therefrom in the direction of the cylinder I6 which prevents the detent being raised to the initial position by striking the contacts 48 which would impede the movement of the recoiling member I8 should reciprocation of this member take place during the spring loaded movement of the piston and detent to the initial position.

The admission of compressed air from the container I to the larger cylinder I6 through the pipe I-is eiected by depressing t'ne push button I3 to unseat a spring loaded non-return valve of any suitable type, air is similarly admitted to the small cylinder 20 through a similar valve operated by the push button I2, but as described above, the cylinder 20 and piston 2| together with the pipe I8 and push button I2 may be dispensed with if desired.

Instead of a pneumatically operated piston a iiring block 2I' may be positioned, as shown in Fig. 6 and may be provided xed in the position occupied by the piston 2| when actuated so -that as the contact 32 reaches it it tilts the catches 25 and 22 in a manner similar to that caused by the displacement of the piston.

The firing button or trigger of. the gun itself is shown diagrammatically at 8 in the form of a button projecting from an aperture in the gun housing 9, Fig. l. f

The trigger or iiring button of the gun is actuated by a firing control which in the construc tion 'shown takes the form of a finger lever I0 which in the case of a gun on an aircraft may be mounted on the control ring handle II of the chief flying control so that the gun is aimed and fired at the target by directing the aircraft itself in the direction of the target.

If desired two or more such firing levers may be positioned. side by side upon the chief flying control to permit of firing several guns or groups of guns at the same time.

One such firing control lever is shown in Fig. 2 pivoted to the base of the spade grip at 31' and having a forwardly directed toe portion 38 which on movement of the lever'from the dotted line position to the operating position shown in full lines pushes down a connection 38, the base 48 of which depresses a cylinder 4I loaded by a spring 42 upon an apertured washer 43 of yielding material such as rubber.

The compression of. the-washer 43 seals an air chamber beneath it and permits the base of the cylinder 4I to contact and downwardly to displace the valve spindle 44 which carries with it the seating portion 46 thereby separating the said seating portion from its fixed coacting tubular conical portion 46.

Air under pressure is thereby admitted from the container I into the chamber, the upper end of which is temporarily sealed by compression of the washer 43 and passes through slots 36 and annular ports 41 into the outlet pipe 5.

The outlet pipe 5 is connected to the cylinder 6, Fig. 1 of the gun trigger actuating motor, the

piston 1 of which is expelled into operative contact with the gun trigger or button 8.

On releasing the nger lever III the pressure on the washer 43 is relieved and the seating portion 46 of the valve returns to its seat thereby cutting off further supply of compressed air from the container I.

The air pressure in the pipe 6 and port 41 is then reduced to atmosphere by exhausting v through the aperture in the resilient washer 43 whereupon the spring 48 in the trigger motor 6 returns the piston 1 to its initial position and relieves the pressure on the gun trigger 8.

, In the operation of the apparatus describedv above, the operator presses the button I8 whereupon air is admitted through the pipe I5 behind the piston 28 of the cylinder I6.

The piston 28 and its rod 29 move outwardly of the cylinder and the portion of the detent 26 engages the recoiling breech member I8 and carries it to the outer limit of its stroke.

In this intermediate safety position the recoil member I8 may either be detained or immediately released as described previously.

In the former case release is consequent upon operation of the button I2 which displaces a Valve to release air from the container through the pipe I 9 to displace the piston 2I which strikes the rounded contact portion 32 of the detent 26.

The interlocked catches 30 and 22 are thereby separated and the piston rod I'I is returned to its initial position by the springs 33, while the recoiling breech member I8 is returned by the interna] mechanism of the gun.

In its return the detent 32 strikes the stud contacts 48 which return the detent to its initial position.

The gun having been loaded by the above operations depression of the firing lever I res the gun by unseating the valve disc 45 to admit air from the container I to the cylinder 5, the piston of which depresses the gun firing button or trigger 8.

The operation of the apparatus is briefly as follows:-

Starting from a position shown in Fig. 1 and indicated at dotted lines in Fig. 3, the valve I3 is opened admitting air through the pipe I5 to the right hand end of the cylinder I6. This forces the piston 28 to thc left carrying with it the piston rod I'I and detent 25. The detent 25 engages and moves the depending arm I8 of the breech block. When the piston 28 reaches the end of its stroke the catch 22 engages the latch 30 and is held in its extended position. Upon opening the valve I2, air flows from the reservoir through the pipes I8 and I9 to the cylinder 2Q, pushing the piston 2I outwardly against the upwardly projecting nger 32 of the catch, first swinging the part 25 to release the breech block arm I8 so that it may return to its original position shown in dotted line in Fig. 3, and then releasing the catch 22 from the latch 30. The springs 33 then draw the piston rod I'l of the catch mechanism back to its original position. As these parts approach their original position, the upwardly projecting finger is stopped by the stops 34 throwing the catch 25 upwardly in position to again engage the arm I8. The gun is now cocked and ready to re. To re the gun, the valveA is opened admitting compressed air from the reservoir I through the pipe 5 tothe cylinder 6. The air admitted to the cylinder 5 forces outwardly the piston 48 and projecting parts I to actuate the trigger 8 and re the gun.

Having now particularly described our invention we claim:

1. Pneumatic cocking means for rapid firing small arms having a recoiling breech block and gun ring trigger, which comprises a pneumatic cylinder and piston, a valve to control the admission of air to said cylinder, a detent movable with said piston and a member extending from said breech block and engaged by said detent during the outward stroke of the piston, said detent being displaceable to release said mem-A ber, a catch mounted on said detent and a springv actuated latch engaged by said catch to hold said catch and said recoil member at the end of the outward stroke of the piston.

2. Pneumatic cocking means for rapid firing small arms having a recoiling breech block and gun ring trigger, which comprises a pneumatic cylinder and piston, a valve to control the admission of air to said cylinder, a detent movable with said piston and a member extending from said breech block and engaged by said detent during the outward stroke of the piston, said detent being displaceable to release said member, a catch mounted on said detent and a spring actuated latch engaged by said catch to hold said catch and said recoil member at the end of the outward stroke of the piston, pneumatically operated means for disengaging said latch from said catch and means for disengaging and moving said detent from the path of said breech block member from the recoil thereof.

3. Pneumatic cooking means for controlling rapid ring small arms having a recoiling breech block and gun firing trigger, which comprises a pneumatically operated cylinder and piston, a valve to admit air under pressure to said cylinder, a detent movable by said piston, a member extending from the recoiling breech block of said firearm to be engaged by said detent, said detent being displaceable to release said member, means for catching said detent at the end of its outward stroke and means comprising a fixed abutment for disengaging said catching means and disengaging and moving said detent from the recoil path of said breech block member.

4. Pneumatic cooking means for a machine gun having a cooking member extending therefrom, which comprises a pneumatic cylinder, a piston, a rod extending from said piston, a rocking member on said rod to engage said extending member and to move it with said piston, and a catch to engage and hold said rocking member and said.

extension at the outward stroke of the piston.

5. Pneumatic cooking means for a machine gun having a cooking member extending therefrom, which comprises a pneumatic cylinder., a piston, a rod extending from said piston, a rocking member on said rod to engage said extending member and to move it with said piston, a catch to engage and hold said rocking member and said extension at'the outward stroke of the piston, and a pneumatically operated piston to engage and rock said rocking member to release said extension and said catch.

6. Pneumatic cooking means for a machine gun having a cocking member extending therefrom, whichcomprises a pneumatic cylinder, a piston, a rod extending from said piston, a rocking member on said rod to engage said extending member and to move it with said piston, a catch to engage and hold said rocking member and said extension at the outward stroke of the piston, a pneumatically operated piston to engage and rock said rocking member to release said extension and said catch, and means at the end of the return stroke to return said rocking member to its original position on said rod.

'1. Pneumatic cooking means for machine guns having a cocking member extending therefrom, which comprises a pneumatically operated cylinder, a piston, a rod extending from said piston and bifurcated at its free end, a rocking member pivotally mounted in the bifurcated end of said piston and having a detent to engage said projecting member and move it with said piston, and also having a latch member, a spring operated latch to engage said latch member and hold said piston in its outermost movement, and means to rock said member to release said extension and said latch.

` GEORGE EDWARD BEHARRELL.

JOSEPH WRIGHT. HENRY TREVASKIS. 

